Im trying to wire a sensor switch in place of the switch on the left. Can someone help me understand how the previous owner has this wired? Looks like the power comes in at the light fixture, goes back down to the first switch, then over the the second switch. Anyone wired a sensor like this? Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. Electrical work is not my strong point but I think I can do this with a little guidance.

looks like a 3-way switch installation. you interrupt the hot wire at one switch, and feed the load with the hot from the second switch. neutral runs through.

between the two switches, you have what are called "traveller" lines. each switch is an SPDT configuration. you basically select one of the two traveller wires between switches on both sides to pass the hot through. if one switch picks black, and the other switch picks red, no light. both switches agree, light.

you will need to have a 3-way sensor switch to replace one and typically only one of the standard 3-way switches. you can't use a standard one.

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Originally posted by swschrad:
looks like a 3-way switch installation. you interrupt the hot wire at one switch, and feed the load with the hot from the second switch. neutral runs through.between the two switches, you have what are called "traveller" lines. each switch is an SPDT configuration. you basically select one of the two traveller wires between switches on both sides to pass the hot through. if one switch picks black, and the other switch picks red, no light. both switches agree, light.

I'm sorry for the drawing, let me try to explain it. It appears that the hot comes in at the light, then down to the first wall box.
The travellers go from switch to switch; red, white, black and ground.

The first wall box has 2 runs of wire. First run has white, black and ground. Second run has red, white, black and ground.
The second wall box has only one run of wires, red, white, black and ground.

quote:

you will need to have a 3-way sensor switch to replace one and typically only one of the standard 3-way switches. you can't use a standard one.

I have 1 standard 3-way switch and 1 sensor switch. Sensor Switch

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Originally posted by joecaption:
http://www.bing.com/images/sea...e+way+switch+diagram

Thanks for the reply but I'm looking for help on wiring a sensor switch.

unless both switches are 3-way type with SPDT action, this is not going to work.

now, you could theoretically set this up on both control points with an on and an off pushbutton switch, and use a motor controller unit to turn the light on and off, but that's adding another 500 bucks to the problem and a box that buzzes all the time.

what you need is to find a 3-way motion control switch. the one you have at that price is single-action and will not do the job.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: swschrad,